If you are thinking of renovating the lighting in your home or simply changing some light bulbs, you have surely come across a term that is increasingly heard: lumens.
But do you really know what lumens are and why you should pay attention to them before deciding how much light you need in each corner of your home? Here we tell you all about it, in a simple and useful way, so you can use light efficiently in your home.
What are lumens and why do they matter in lighting?
Lumens is a word you’ll see on the packaging of any modern light bulb, especially if it’s LED. But what exactly does it measure? The answer to what lumens are, in a nutshell, is that lumens are the amount of light a bulb emits, not the energy it consumes.
- In the past, we were guided by watts (W), but they only measured energy consumption.
- Nowadays, what matters to know how much light you will have in a room, will be to know what lumens (lm) are, because they are the unit of measurement of the real light intensity.
For example: a 10W LED bulb can give you the same light (in lumens) as a 60W incandescent bulb. This means considerable energy savings, without sacrificing good lighting.
Difference between what lumens, watts and lux are:
- Lumens (lm): total amount of visible light emitted by a source.
- Watts (W): how much power that source consumes.
- Lux: amount of light incident on a given surface.
How to calculate the lumens needed for each space in the home
Now that you know what lumens are, it’s time to choose how many lumens you need for each room in your home. It’s not a matter of eyeballing, but calculating well based on the use of the room, the size and other variables.
Here we give you an indicative formula and if you need more information you can consult it in our article “Calculator of lumens per m2 to illuminate your house well” and in “How to calculate the square meters“:
Multiply the square meters of the room by the recommended lux level.
Each type of room has a minimum recommended illumination, which is measured in lux:
- Living room or bedroom: between 100 and 300 lux
- Kitchen and bathroom: between 300 and 500 lux
- Study or reading area: between 500 and 750 lux
Practical example: For a 20 m² living room where you want to have about 200 lux: 20 x 200 = 4,000 lumens in total.
You can spread these lumens over several lamps or spotlights, depending on the design you choose.
Other influencing factors
- Wall colors: dark tones absorb more light.
- Ceiling height: the higher the ceiling, the more power you need.
- Type of luminaire: some lamps project the light towards the ceiling or diffuse it, which reduces the direct efficiency.
Common mistakes when choosing lumens at home
Although it seems simple, there are some fairly common failures when lighting our spaces when we don’t take lumens into account:
- Thinking that more watts means more light: this is no longer the case, especially with LEDs.
- Use the same bulb for everything: you don’t need the same light in the kitchen as in the bedroom.
- Ignoring the distribution of lamps: a powerful bulb in the ceiling is not always enough if you need spot light.
Avoiding these mistakes will help you achieve a more comfortable and efficient environment.
Tips for lighting every area of the home
It’s not just about putting light, but putting it where and how it’s needed. Here are some guidelines:
Kitchen
- You need between 4,000 and 6,000 lumens in total.
- Opt for cool white lights, directly on the countertop and work areas.
Salon
The ideal is between 2,000 and 4,000 lumens, with a combination of general light and indirect light points.
- Warm bulbs to create a cozy atmosphere.
Bedroom
- 1,500 to 3,000 lumens is sufficient.
- Warm, soft light for relaxation, with dimmable options.
Bathroom
- Spot lighting on the mirror (1,200 to 2,000 lumens).
- Neutral white light for a more natural look.
Corridors and passageways
- Functional lighting, between 300 and 600 lumens per point.
- It is better if it is with warm light, so as not to be aggressive when passing.
What type of lighting to choose according to lumens
When choosing the right lighting, don’t just look at the lumens. It also matters:
- The type of technology: LEDs last longer and consume less energy.
- The light tone: warm (2,700K), neutral (4,000K) or cool (6,000K), depending on the ambiance you are looking for.
- The angle of aperture: whether you want more direct or more scattered light.
Example of LED equivalents:
- 450 lumens ≈ 40W incandescent
- 800 lumens ≈ 60W
- 1,100 lumens ≈ 75W
How to improve home lighting efficiency
Sometimes you don’t need more light, but to make better use of the light you already have. In our blog you have many tips on lighting and decoration but among the most useful tricks to improve lighting, are:
- Paint with light colors: they reflect the light and multiply its effect.
- Use mirrors and glass: they help to distribute natural light.
- Install dimmers or sensors: to adjust the intensity and save energy.
- Place the lamps well: neither too high nor hidden, so that they make the most of the light beam.
SC Herrajes lighting solutions for every type of requirement
If you are looking to improve the lighting in your home with quality products, at SC Herrajes we offer lighting solutions that adapt to every space.
- LED spotlights with good lumen output and low power consumption
- Functional and decorative LED lights
- Smart connector, easy and tailor-made cutting systems
In addition, SC Herrajes has the support of years of experience in the sector, which transmits confidence and guarantee in each of our products.
What to remember about lumens at home
- Knowing what lumens are will help you make better lighting choices, without being guided by watts alone.
- Calculates lumens based on the use and size of each room.
- It is not necessary to saturate with light, but to distribute it with logic and style.
- Trust brands like SC Herrajes, which combine quality, experience and a variety of options for all types of homes.
Know what lumens are to solve your needs.
Understanding what lumens are is not just a technical issue: it is the key to achieving efficient, comfortable lighting that is adapted to each space in your home.
By choosing the right number of lumens, you can completely transform the ambiance of a room, improve sleep, make everyday tasks easier and save on your electricity bill.
